A Researcher's Paradise

The MacArthur Foundation has just called, and they have $1 Million for you; as long as you can come up with good research questions dealing with children and technology. What topics need to be explored?


  • Is there a real value of hyperactivity and bright colors in children's digital media products?
    • Do kids just see birght colors and hyperactivity as code for "this is for kids", or do they really prefer it?
    • What are the formal features of digital media that draw children's attention?
    • If I was a kid at a party, and I could choose between Jim and a clown, who would I choose? (we choose Jim!!)
    • How do you market a product to both parents and kids without the chaos?
    • Does the Mr. Rogers approach has any validity with today's children?
    • How do you engage children with sustained focused attention on content?
    • What's the developmental trajectory of "mother-ese"?

  • What are the motivations and experiences that lead to learning, and learning a life long love of learning?
    • How do you put learning into a context where its meaningful?

  • To assemble and disseminate a set of learning design principles that support and foster a love of learning for all people.
  • Practical theories about how kids learn and in what kinds of learning environments.
    • Children's media summit with kids telling the developers what's fun in media
    • Ethnographic studiesHow do you teach the teachers? Experienced teachers and new teachers?
    • Bridging gap between what older teachers know and what younger teachers know?
    • How do you use 21st century skills - into curriculum - see P21
    • Both informal and formal, and when to bridge the two...
  • How can we bring together multidisciplinary teams to develop practical theories about how kids learn?
    • Dissemination actionable next steps.